Law

The future of Superfund; after the Rio Summit, domestic policy won't be the same

Article Abstract:

The chief purpose of CERCLA, the Superfund act, was to promote and regulate the cleaning up of hazardous waste sites. The act sought to address environmental damage not only retroactively but also cumulative instances of the problem. The 1990s brought new understanding of the vast nature of the problem and increased estimates of the cost of fixing it. The 1990s also brought the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED), concentrating on the theme of sustainable development, with suggestions for differing environmental standards for developed and developing countries.

The ABA Commission on Domestic Violence and the organization's Tort and Insurance Practice Section are working to convince employers to put pamphlets trying to reach domestic violence victims in women's restrooms at workplaces across the country. The pamphlets have practical advice to victims, including a checklist of actions in an emergency caused by domestic violence and how to protect themselves at home, make their children safer and use the legal system to obtain help. The ABA bodies find that if the pamphlets are left in a more public place women will not pick them up.

Superfund in limbo: debate over changing law creates uncertainty in current cases

Article Abstract:

The uncertain political climate surrounding CERCLA reauthorization with a Republican-controlled Congress has created difficulties for insurers, reinsurers and litigants with current claims. These parties must attempt to second guess the direction any reform will take or even if there will be reform to determine whether it would be more advantageous to press their cases now or wait until after the changes go through. This is especially important in cases where a settlement has been offered that may not be a reasonable solution if the law changes.